Traffic marking device



A, GILL TRAFFIC MARKING DEVICE June 2s, 193s.`

Ffiled OC.. 7, `1955 A TToR/VEM Patented June 2s, 193s UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TRAFFIC MARKING DEVICE Alan Findlay Gill, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Application October 7, 1936, Serial No. 104,358

3 Claims. (Cl. 94-1.5)

This invention relates to traic marking means and more particularly to means for designating traffic lanes on paved highways and for marking out parking areas and the like.

At the present time, traic lanes on curves, hills and the like are usually indicated by `painted lines or by ya series of metallic or rubber plates anchored in the pavement and sometimes carrying reectors.

y "Ihe object of the present invention is to provide an improved traic marking means which will act as a consciously impressive deterrent to driving over same and which, at the same time, has a structure which will yield freely at all points throughout its length to impact of a vehicle and immediately return to normal position after being freed from contact with the car. The invention thus contemplates an upstanding post of a strikingly impressive height, when placed on the highway and of a material and construction which will permit the post to bend f over upon impact of a moving vehicle to permit the latter to pass without injury to the vehicle or its safe driving and then toimmediately return to its upstanding position.

The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawing in which,A

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the marking means, and

Figures 2 to 5 are sectional views of various forms of the markers.

As lshown in the drawing, the marking means consists of a series of posts l secured tothe Vpavement 2. The height of the` post must be at least sufficient to provide above the base portion an erect form-sustaining bendable or ilexing section. The exact height will depend somewhat upon the particular construction of the post and the character of the specic material of which it is made. Moreover, the particular condition of the road and position in which the markers are employed will influence the lower limit of the permissible height. A bendable section of even four inches may serve the intended purpose but 1 preferably the overall height of the post is such as to reach the chassis of a normal motor car so that a car crossing the post will normally be engaged thereby and the repeated impacts, as the post is engaged by successive portions of the car,

`50 will serve as warning signals. The post may be rial and the latter increases the intensity of the warning signal.

Any suitable means for mounting the posts on the pavement may be employed. In Figure 2, the base of the post is moulded about a stud 3 projecting from a metal base plate 4, the edges of which are rounded. The base plate 4 is tapped to receive a screw threaded stud bolt 5 projecting from and anchored in the pavement. Thus, during the winter season the markers may, if necessary, be readily removed and a nut placed on the projecting stud bolt.

In Figure 3, a bed plate 6 flush with the road level is tapped to receive a threaded spigot 1,- the head of which engages the bottom wall of the post. In Figure 4, a nut or tapped ring 8 engaging the bottom wall of the post is adapted to receive a threaded stud 9 in the road surface. In Figure 5, the base ofthe post is' adapted tosnap over a rounded metal head lll of a stud Il.' Such a stud could be left in the road surface without additional fitting when the post is removed in the Winter season.

The use of the marking means described has many advantages. It tends to curb excessive speed at curves owing to the greater restraint imposed by the markers. It substantially eliminates the dangerous practice of passing cars on hills and curves. When used as a parking area marker, `it substantially eliminates the annoying practice of encroaching on adjacent parking spaces.

I claim:

1. Traffic marking means for pavements comprising a series of posts arranged in line, said posts consisting of a hollow flexible structure and extending above the pavement to a height slightly greater than the road clearance of a standard motor vehicle, and means for removably mounting each of said posts in the pavement.

2. Traic marking means for pavements comprising a series of posts arranged in line, said posts consisting of a hollow ilexible structure and extending above the pavement to a height slightly greater than the road clearance of a standard motor vehicle, an anchor for each post embedded in the pavement and substantially ush with the surface thereof, and means for removably mounting each post on an anchor.

3. Traflic marking means for pavements comprising a series of posts arranged inline, said posts being yieldable and bendable throughout the greater portion of their length and .extending above the pavement to a height slightly greater than the road clearance of a standard motor vehicle whereby said posts will be engaged by portions of a vehicle crossing thesame to provide audible and successive warning signals.

ALAN FINDLAY GILL. 

